The Green Millionaire : Buyer Beware!

* Update - 4/16/12 - FTC orders Green Millionaire founder has to pay 2 million in damages!
I recently had a friend and reader suggest I check out this great new free book he found called The Green Millionaire. He said I could get a free copy at the website (I'm not even going to link to their site because it's too close to a scam for my taste). When I went there, I saw something that looked very "scammish". Anything promising "free" anything immediately sets off my alarm signals. So I did a little digging (a.k.a. google) and found this article from Fibomercials and Scams.

Basically, you sign up for the "free" book and they need your credit card for the $1 "shipping and handling" charge. But the devil is in the details! The fine print says:

*Start your free trial today and we will also send you a free 14 day subscription to The Green Millionaire eMagazine. Just pay a $1.00 processing fee. You will have 14 days to try The Green Millionaire eMagazine and discover how to become wealthier while saving the planet. If you like the simple, powerful solutions presented in the program, do nothing. At the end of your free trial period you will be charged the discounted price of $29.95, and every 60 days thereafter.

And then gives you the number to call to cancel your subscription. I wonder how hard it is to get through to a live person?

After doing my research I asked my friend to check his credit card bill and guess what? Here was his reply:

Argghh!!! Looks like I’m in the scam wheel. I didn’t even know it was from an infomercial (which I never watch). I think I found the link through another referral.

Well I got the book, and it’s OK. Nothing earth shattering, but some good ideas. I’ll give you my copy if you want it… I’m too pissed to hold on to it. They did charge me $29.95. I will dispute with my CC company, and maybe cancel my card.

So, if you need some green tips then go ahead and get your "Green Millionaire" book, pay $29.95 every 60 days or take the trouble to cancel your "subscription". Or you can read this blog and the other great resources that are out there that cost you nothing. I won't say it's free though because I do "force" you to glance at ads. Hey, a guy has to eat (I just bough some nice grass-fed steaks) doesn't he?

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Comments

Anonymous (not verified) Sat, 08/21/2010 - 11:47

Green Millionaire is a rip off. If they truly cared about people and customer satisfaction GM would have refunded my money on the 15th day. I work 12 hours a day and have 4 kids to take cae of and did not even get the book until the 10th day. The email verison of the magazine never came because GM wants me to trun off my spam. What ever. GM is just a rip off company. It was $89.95 They charged me not $29.95. So you work for a rip off company

Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 08/04/2010 - 17:13

I almost fell for it. I had seen the infomercial several times. I suspected either a scam or they were going to try to install viruses on my machine. I checked out the web site from a secured computer and found it was safe to visit. It is just a SCAM. I read the fine print and they have no information from me. Be safe. Avoid the SCAM

Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 08/19/2010 - 15:41

What a true ripoff! As always, "if it sounds to good to be true...". I never realized what had been done until I received my credit card statement! OUCH!

Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 08/04/2010 - 06:29

Hey, Thanks alot. I was going to check out this site but saw yours first.

Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 10/05/2010 - 12:16

Most reputable companies I've heard of, if their product is a good product and the company stands behind it, guarantees their product and offers a refund if not satisfied. GM Agent, does your company offer such a guarantee on it's product line? Also, is there anywhere in the T&C stating all sales are final and no refunds? Can you share with us your personal success story using your product? Oh wait, someone who has found success using this program and has become a millionaire wouldn't be working a customer service job, unless...you don't use the very product you sell and don't trust it yourself? Unfortunately, I may also have fallen for this scam, but I think I did actually cancel it right away so I wouldn't be charged. Oh, and the fact I never received any confirmation or notification that I was being charged other than discovering on my bank statement. And the fact I never received any product in return for the money taken from my account. Hmmmm. The right thing to do as a reputable company is to apologize that the information was not clear as to the obligation of the consumer refund all money taken from that consumer and assure that for future business, these complaints would be resolved and rectified.

Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 09/02/2010 - 16:58

@GM AGENT. umm its called a scam when u give away something free and charge $30 for it. its not a matter if its illegal or not, its a matter of tricking people to make money. you state it in ur terms n conditions so you cant get screwed over from a customer. well DUH but honestly, how many people u think read that? with the amount of people that miss it or care it ignore it, yeah its their fault for not researching or taking the time to, but no where in the commercial does it say anything about paying for anything. thats false advertisement if u tell me. if ur business is good enough to make money on its own, you shouldnt have to try and trick people. heres a tip on how to become a GREEN MILLIONAIRE. give away something free and charge them money for it too, even when the program is just a rip in ur asshole. GFY

Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 09/02/2010 - 19:13

Well! Bless your soul for saving me 30 bucks!!! I just got the "free" book and was actually going to the website for one of the tips, when I flopped onto this page and immediately canceled my subscription, the best part is that there customer support is very nice, it took me less than a minute to talk to a real person and less than five minutes to have my subscription canceled. Tricky little snakes in the grass, most people wouldn't think of the email as being the one that your being charged for, I respect your cleverness and hospitality but I do not care for your practices. Until we meet again my tricky tricky foe -Mike

Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 09/03/2010 - 07:52

Glad I stopped by here first, and I agree that gm agent's comments have not helped build confidence in anything he has to offer (if he actually is related to the company).

Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 08/02/2010 - 19:54

Thanks for all the heads up. I was going to there sight and I spotted this blog. Didn't ssend for anything. Thanks for all the warnings!

Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 08/17/2010 - 20:13

thank you, all of you. i was just ready to get on the site and order this FREE book. i am thankful to the people that tell the truth about this SCAM. thanks again!!!!

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